Transformation of waste polypropylene disposable masks into advanced anode materials for high-performance Lithium-ion batteries

초록

This study presents a novel approach for transforming waste polypropylene (PP) disposable masks into high-performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) through a chemical upcycling process. The disposable masks, typically incinerated or landfilled, are pretreated using sulfonation, nitration, and thermal oxidation to create a thermally stable, crosslinked structure that can withstand high temperature carbonization. The resulting hard carbon materials exhibit a disordered structure, confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy, with a mixture of graphitic and amorphous phases. These carbon anodes show a maximum discharge capacity of 438.1 mAh g−1, significantly exceeding that of commercial graphite anodes. Furthermore, they demonstrate superior high-rate performance, retaining 56.5 % of their capacity at a 5 C discharge rate, and maintain excellent long-term cycle stability with 97.5 % capacity retention over 100 cycles. The different pretreatment methods produce variations in the morphology and chemical structure of the resulting hard carbon, which influence the electrochemical performance. This work not only offers an effective solution for managing waste masks but also provides a scalable pathway for producing high-value materials for advanced energy storage. The approach highlights the potential of upcycling strategies to convert waste into functional materials for sustainable and high-performance LIBs. © 2024 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry

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